Jessica Jones x Kilgrave - Jessigrave/Kiljones

(Source: http://media.comicbook.com/2015/11/jessica-jones-159074.jpg)

Okay, I’m going to say this once and once only.

Anyone who has a problem with me shipping Jessica and Kilgrave and isn’t able to tolerate that can unfollow me right now!

You know why?

Because I don’t fucking excuse Kilgrave’s actions! I’m fully aware of what he did and I wouldn’t anyone like this to be in relationship with myself or anyone. I’m interested in the relationship, the dynamics the two of them have. I’m not saying “Abuse and rape is romantic.”, I’m saying “I’d like to explore the interesting dynamic between Jessica and Kilgrave” 

Everyone who ships those two is fully aware of Kilgrave’s actions, no one tries to justify what he did! When we imagine Kilgrave and Jessica in a relationship, it’s either in an AU version in which he’s different or tries to be a different/better person or in a version where he finally gets punishment and sees what he did wrong. We’re not supporting rape and abuse, we’re simply exploring this very fascinating connection/dynamic Jessica and Kilgrave have which has this kind of psychological and dark appeal.

We’re not justifying Kilgrave’s action!

We know that Kilgrave is a rapist!

We don’t support an abusive relationship!

We’re simply exploring this dark and fucked up connection/relationship between two characters!

So, if you’re still having a problem with me or any other Jessigrave shipper, or think you can send abusive messages yourself to those shippers, you can piss off right now because I don’t have to listen to your ridiculous talk,

(Source: http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/jessica-jones/38042/jessica-jones-episode-8-viewing-notes-aka-wwjd)

Concerning the criticism of “Zoolander Transphobia”

Some people, and especially the trans community felt not very excited when they saw the trailer of Zoolander 2 in which Benedict Cumberbatch appeared as an androgynous/non-binary model called All. People felt offended and see it as another step towards the discrimination of trans/non-binary/gender-fluid community. Just read this article if you don't believe me:
 http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/24/zoolander-2-trans-people-step-backwards-for-us-all?CMP=fb_gu

HOWEVER!!!

I am transgender myself and I feel the need to speak out some thoughts regarding this whole discussion which some people might forget:

1. Have we even seen the whole movie yet?

Answer: No, so we don’t really know how Benedict’s character is actually portrait. Perhaps the character and the gender identity of All will be explained to the characters in the movie who don’t know better about gender issues.

2. Why do people, especially trans people, feel offended by this clip?

Answer: I personally don’t know, and mind you, I’m transgender myself and had no problems whatsoever with Benedict’S character. Again: we don’t even know yet what happens in the movie. 

3. “I think he’s asking whether you have a hot dog or a bun.”

Answer: I kind of see the problem with that question since I myself am not very comfortable talking about what’s down there. But think about the way the two main characters appear: they don’t seem to be the most educated people especially not on gender issues. Perhaps the protagonists in the movie don’t know better and they still have to realise that it’s not about the genitalia for trans/non-binary people. Once again: we don’t know yet what they will do in the movie!

4. Where’s the humour?

Answer: It’s there but apparently some people are unable to laugh about the jokes in all their seriousness! Humour shouldn’t know any boundaries and people shouldn’t always be so serious and protective of every little thing. Sure, political correctness is important but sometimes you also have to get down from your high horse. I thought the scene was very funny and I also didn’t feel insulted as a trans person.  

5. Why did they not cast a trans person for this role?

Answer: We don’t even know if All identifies as transgender; it was never mentioned! And maybe they will address it in the movie and perhaps they won’t, does it really matter? And you cast an actor/actress for a role when this person is the best for the job! To cast a trans person simply because it’s about a trans character is ridiculous! That same discussion is also going on about “The Danish Girl” and I find it quite stupid and unnecessary. You hire someone who cares about the character they play and who portrays them in the best and most convincing way possible. And Benedict is a fantastic actor and also a thoughtful and intelligent man. He’s most certainly aware that a gender issue surrounds his character and he’s an educated man who’s one of the last people that would offend/insult a social/cultural/minority group.

So stop bitching about the movie before you have even seen it and at least give it a chance. After you have seen it you can still complain but then you have at least a basis for it. 

My fantasy novel (3)

Here is the second part of chapter #2. We left off after Lorane had been attacked by four rather sinister men and been saved by Jeremy. Now we will see what happens the day later, shortly before Lorane's birthday.

The Legend of Alteria

Chapter 2 

 (Part 2)

It was one day before Lorane’s birthday and Mister Viler was not there. To the pleasure of everyone his assistance was no longer needed and so they could continue their lessons with their form teacher. Unfortunately Lorane could not share this with Jeremy because he was not at school this day. If he had got sick now, that would have been inconvenient since he had said that he wanted to talk to her in the evening. Lorane dismissed this for the time being. If he could not come, Jeremy would give her notice, he was a reliable boy.

This should be confirmed once again because although of his absence in school, it rang in the late afternoon at Lorane’s house door.

“Jeremy’s here!“ Lorane called into the living room where Markus and Jenny sat together and already knew about it. “See you later!”

She took the keys and went outside where Jeremy was waiting for her.

Wordless both walked down the street until they reached the café. It was a small restaurant, the two of them were the only guests which was probably more comfortable. Lorane sat at a table while Jeremy ordered for them at the counter and eventually came back with two hot chocolates. He did not immediately address what he wanted to talk about which was why they both at first sat silently opposite each other until Lorane spoke about Viler’s disappearance to start the conversation. She was curious what Jeremy had to tell her but she did not want push him.

The two of them sat there for the first minutes and chatted, it seemed a bit like small talk to Lorane. They still were the only two guests in the café, they did not see much of the employees. Only when they had both emptied their cups, Lorane observed a man with blond hair who started to pull down the blinds at the windows.

“Are they already closing?“ she asked slightly surprised.

“Seems like it.“ Jeremy responded dryly.

The last window was covered and Lorane asked hesitantly:   

“Perhaps we should better go to my place, if they are already closing now.”

Jeremy did not answer anything and Lorane once again looked to the waiter who had now turned from the window towards them. 

It took away her breath.

It was the man from the day before who had laughed at her together with his companions. In fright Lorane could not take her look of him because she had to see that she had not got it wrong when she had got a short glance at him yesterday. The man’s eyes were red and looked deep at her patronizingly.

“Jeremy!“ Lorane called and sprang from her chair. "That’s him! That’s the man from yesterday!“

She turned around him when his hand directly hit her right cheek and she fell to the ground.

“Jeremy! What the hell- ?!“

Above her stood Jeremy, her best friend who had just slapped her and now looked down to her with a strange smile.

Lorane did not know what was happening. This in front of her was not the boy she had met two years ago and until now never could have hurt anyone. Next to him now stood the man from the day before and looked at her with the same sneering expression. In his thin face a pale scar ran under his left eye on which Lorane’s look inevitably fell. She heard how somewhere a door was opened and shortly after two other silhouettes joined them who, like before, had their faces hid under hoods. Only Jeremy’s face was the only one familiar to Lorane on which now was a spiteful grin and looked at her with a strange craving in his eyes.

“Jeremy!“ Lorane called out desperately because she did not know what else to say. She was too shocked as to come up with big words now.

As if the aforementioned boy had just remembered something, Jeremy snapped his fingers. Lorane could not believe what she saw there. He slightly moved his head and, as if he wanted to shake it off, the deep black in his hair disappeared and was replaced by a light blonde which was now falling over his shoulders. The face became paler and subsided into a fifteen years older one which was now looking at her with the same threatening red which was also in the eyes of the others.

“Already took long enough.” The man said with an acted sigh before he put on his hideous smile again. “ Not Jeremy, little one. – Velacio.“ He spoke with a peculiar casualness in his voice.

Lorane did not know anymore what was happening. Jeremy had just changed into an adult man with piercing red eyes right in front of her. Those seemed to sunk into her own because as much as Lorane wanted she could not take her look off the men and suddenly felt how this weakness slowly overcame her again. Suddenly she was grabbed at the throat by Velacio. With easiness he lifted her off the ground and held her right in front of him while he did not stop smiling for one second.

“You didn’t like Viler so I tried it with your little friend.“

He laughed and threw Lorane back who was falling hard on the ground with a small shriek and slid a few inches. Breathing heavily she managed it to move her head upwards to say something:

“So you were the one saving me from these men yesterday?”

“Well, you had to trust me.“ Velacio responded casually. "So we nicely staged that yesterday and now you’re here.“

“What do you want from me?” Lorane asked while her heart seemed to race inside her chest.

“As if you didn’t know that, Lorane!” the leader in the middle now hissed and stepped threateningly closer.

Lorane was mute again. How did they know her name? And why did they think she know what all this was about?

“I really don’t know why-“ she started to explain desperately when someone pushed the door of the café open with all his might.

Jeremy was breathing heavily and let his look quickly wander over the scenery in front of him. He looked down at his best friend who was lying on the ground and obviously fighting not to faint.

“Jeremy…?” she said quietly and could not hide the disbelief in her voice.

The men looked at Jeremy angrily and for a moment the amused grins had disappeared out of their faces. The two men, who still had their hoods up, quickly looked back down at Lorane who had tried to get up unnoticed but when the stares of the red eyes hit her, the coldness again entered her chest and she noticed how slowly but surely she could not keep her eyes open any longer.

“You rather should have stayed in your comfy hideout, Jeremy.” Now the leader of the group said, at which he sarcastically emphasized the boy’s name.

He smiled again but Jeremy looked at him seriously with a frozen expression. The man snapped his finger towards his companions.

“Enough played. – Get them, Alero.”

One of the hooded men stepped forward and walked towards Lorane who by now was not able anymore to follow the conversation.

“See you around, little Paul.” Velacio now said theatrically at which he smiled with relish.

One last time Lorane pricked up her ears when she heard this strangely familiar name but then Alero took her by the collar and Velacio was walking towards Jeremy. She did not longer manage it to put up a fight, in front of her everything became blurred as Alero lifted her with a tight grip.

But before he had her fully lifted up and Velacio had reached Jeremy, he suddenly pulled something round and shimmering out of his jacket pocked which let Lorane blink once more from sudden lightness. She felt how she was dropped back to the ground and the men shrunk back. Then she was not able to keep the unconsciousness away any longer and closed her eyes.

v   

A strange sensation of weightlessness was surrounding Lorane until her eyes slowly opened. She did not lie in her flat, she saw that right away, but when she rose she discovered that Jeremy was sitting on a chair next to her, reading. She had been lying on a small sofa in the already sparsely furnished flat which only seemed to consist of one room. When Lorane got up, Jeremy immediately looked up curiously then he smiled gently.

“You woke up just in time.” He said while he lay the book aside. He took a look at a clock which was hanging on a wall. It were only a few minutes until midnight.

Lorane at first said nothing. She looked at him with a mix of mistrust, confusion and disbelief, unsure what she should say first.

“You are…” she eventually stammered. "Are you- I mean… You are Jeremy. Aren’t you?”

She felt slightly silly to ask such an odd and yet simple question but after what she had seen, she felt the necessity for it. The smile on the boy’s lips subsided into a gentle expression and a reassuring nod.

“Yes, it’s me. Don’t worry, we lost those men.” 

He looked again over at the clock of which its two hands would soon jump to twelve.

“Who were they?” Lorane eventually asked. "What did they want from me?”

Now Jeremy looked up with a thoughtful expression, his smile had disappeared and he hesitated at first a short moment before he found the right words.

“I can tell you, but-“ He again looked at the clock. "Lorane, something is going to happen with you in a minute.”

Jeremy looked too serious as to give Lorane even a chance to ask if this was some kind of joke.

“What do you mean?” she asked instead and looked at him with a slight estimating look.

Jeremy shook his head. It was one of those rare moments when he did not know how to explain it. When his gaze wandered to the clock the third time he suddenly increased his speed and said hastily:

“Your fifteenth birthday is going to be any second and this is just the time for people like us. I’ll explain everything to you!”

He observed her with an almost innocent look but before Lorane could asked what he meant with those words, the hands sprang to midnight.

A warm sensation suddenly spread in Lorane’s chest, completely different than what she had felt back in the café at the stares of the men. It seemed to flood her entire body, up to her head so she had to blink without a reason because her eyes had started to water. From her head the sensation wandered into her spine and seemed to break out of her upper back because Lorane felt how something literally seemed to put itself up behind her but kept holding on to her.

It had only taken a couple of seconds, Lorane had not even noticed that she had risen and now Jeremy in front of her came into vision again. The older boy looked at her with shiny eyes and a slightly opened mouth but he did not look into her face. He seemed to behold something behind her so Lorane turned her head.

Behind her sat enthroned two majestic wings in black and deep red colour which had come out of her body a few moments ago.    

My fantasy novel (2)

So, my last blog entry was about the novel I'm writing. I posted its first chapter and I hope some of you guys got interested. But a certain friend of mine (she knows I mean her) was so excited about this first chapter that she wanted to know what happens next. So she talked me into translating the second chapter as well. I'm currently working on that translation and since this chapter is a bit longer than the last one I will post it in two parts. So here is the first part of the second chapter of my fantasy novel, enjoy ^_^

The Legend of Alteria

Chapter 2

(Part 1)

Lorane sat on the windowsill in her room and read in a book thoughtfully. Today she had woken earlier than usually which was why she still had some time left over until school began. She turned the page. Her eyes flew over the lines, sometimes hurdled back up to read a sentence again. She had been in a very pensive mood the past few days, as always around this time. It was early March, the trees outside on the street slowly put forth first buds and the last bit of snow was melting away. In a few days the time would come, then it would be the tenth of March, Lorane’s birthday. This year it was her fifteenth, then it would be almost five years ago since she had come to Jenny and Markus.

Lorane knew that those two were not her real parents, Markus and Jenny had explained her that right away back then. But her true parents Lorane could not call into her mind, she had only been able to remember back to the moment when Jenny had found her in front of the house door. The only thing which she had known at this point was her name, before that was a big, dark gap. When Jenny had asked her where she was from and why she was here, she had just looked at her with confused eyes. Nevertheless Jenny had agreed to take care of her after she had discussed it with Markus several times. He had first not been very excited by the idea to take a strange girl of ten years into care but he had gone soft after he had heard Lorane’s story and had to keep looking at Jenny’s pleading eyes. It was not like he did not want any children, but he would have liked to get one himself and raise it by himself. But over time he had grown to love Lorane and to accept her as his daughter.  

Lorane now closed the book and took a look at the watch on her left wrist. Where the heck was Jeremy? He picked her up every morning so they could go to school together.  But today he was a long time in coming although he was usually on time. Again Lorane looked at her watch. She could not wait any longer for him, it was nearly half past seven and in fifteen minutes the first lesson would start. She stepped up in front of the little wooden mirror once more, which hang right next to the door and brushed her dark red hair, which reached down to her waist, until she bound it up to a ponytail. She grabbed for her backpack and went out through the door. With a hug for Markus and a kiss on the cheek for Jenny, Lorane left the house.   

Outside were mild temperatures but nonetheless closed Lorane her jacket up to the neck while she was walking down the street. Although freshly came out from the winter holidays, she still yawned when she stood at the traffic light but this was probably due to the fact that Lorane simply was not the person who was of great use in the morning. Jeremy was different who almost always seemed to be awake and attentive. The more it surprised Lorane that he had not picked her up on time. Perhaps he’s fallen ill, she thought, which she could not really believe since Jeremy was as good as never ill. Lorane chuckled. Maybe he had stood up very early again and was already in school, she knew Jeremy. He was an absolute book worm, if he could not be found anywhere, he most likely sat in the library and brooded over a thick book.

But just as Lorane was smiling about her best friend, he came suddenly almost out of nothing towards her from the left. She stopped and waited until he had reached her before she greeted him. 

“Hey, sleepy head.”

Jeremy stroke a few strands of his black hair back, which had fallen into his face, then he replied Lorane’s smile. He was a good way taller than the girl and looked down to her with a friendly expression while they continued their way to school together with fast steps.    

“Usually you’re up so early.” Lorane asked. “Why so late today?”

First Jeremy laughed then he answered:

“I still had to do something important which unfortunately took longer than planned.”

He hoped that she would not notice, but Jeremy was not good in faking the mood in his voice. Lorane also saw that he was nervously playing with a handle on his bag or hastily straightening the collar of his posh white shirt.

“Are you nervous?” Lorane asked right away. “You seem strange.”

She immediately noticed that he tried to avoid her eyes but she did not give up and looked at him until he gave her an answer. With a sigh of getting caught he took the hands of the bag and began to gesticulate the nervousness in his words away.

“To be honest, it has something to do with you.”

She suddenly looked at him very surprised and saw that this was somehow uncomfortable for him. Without asking any further she waited, to see if he was going to say something else.

“It’s your birthday in three days…” Jeremy eventually continued. “I wanted to ask if it’s okay with you if…”

He broke off to gather himself. Lorane looked at him with big eyes and wondered if Jeremy was really about to ask what she suspected or if he was just trying to be funny.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about and that’s why I wanted to ask you if we could meet shortly before that day or sometime else?”

For a short moment Lorane nearly stopped dead in her tracks. She was a little bit confused and now did not dare to look at Jeremy directly.

“Do you mean it in that way which I’m just thinking of or…?” She did not know exactly how she should say it.

Immediately Jeremy opened his eyes wide and started shaking his head heavily.

“No! That’s not what I meant!” he said hurriedly with a nervous laughter. He had hoped that it would not come to this odd situation but with this kind of question you could probably not avoid it. “I just wanted to talk to you about something as soon as possible, that’s all!”

He had turned red and his voice was higher but then he put his hands with a hasty movement into his trouser pockets and did not dare to say another word in the next few minutes.

“It’s okay.“ Lorane calmed him and could not help but to grin. Jeremy was simply not the best with girls and something like this was embarrassing to him even with Lorane. She shook it away gently and said: “We can meet sometime after school.”

It was five minutes before the bell rang when Lorane and Jeremy entered the classroom together. Although Jeremy was two years older than her (he would turn seventeen in April) and actually a clever guy, Lorane had never asked further questions when he had been assigned to their class. Together they sat down in one of the middle rows and hurried to get out their folders when the bell already rang.

Mister Viler they had all hated from the first moment on when he had stepped into their classroom and this feeling was mutual. He was teaching since a few days on the behalf of their form teacher. So this day should once again start with a wonderful new torture lesson of this man. He slam shut the door behind him and literally banged his folder onto the table which stood in front of the blackboard. Everyone knew that there was no joking around with this man which was why immediately every student fell silent when Mister Viler positioned himself in front of the class.

“A good morning.” He announced without any joy in his dry voice or giving the students a chance to wish him a happy morning as well and immediately continued talking. “I had given you some homework over the past two days which I would like to have on my table by the end of the lesson.”

Nobody even dared to utter an annoyed murmur or sigh which normally followed such an announcement, instead one could hear the rustling of papers and folders out of which some of the students already got their prepared work so they already had them nearby. Mister Viler liked to pass the rows while the student worked in silence to see if all pupils had done their homework.

Lorane rolled her eyes slightly after Mister Viler had ended his silent stare into the class and reached for a piece of white chalk and started to write on the blackboard. The beginning of another tiny written block text which by the end of the lesson would have filled the entire board.   

“That man seems to have nothing but problems at home.” Lorane turned to Jeremy next to her as quiet as possible while they started to copy.

“Perhaps he just needs someone to unload his frustration.” Jeremy replied in the same tone.

Lorane did not dare to laugh out loud but nodded in agreement with a small smile. Disturbance was not tolerated by Viler.

“Jeremy, could you repeat what I just said?”

Jeremy immediately turned his head up front again, Lorane drew a breath sharply and looked embarrassed to the ground. All students present knew what would happen to Paul now but none of them dared to turn around to him directly.

“No, I can’t. “ Jeremy eventually answered.

“And why not? “ Viler probed and looked directly into his eyes.

“Because I wasn’t paying attention. “ Jeremy said dryly while he tried to endure the teacher’s look as good as possible. But Viler’s eyes were like sharp icicles which sunk into Jeremy’s head and gave him a strange feeling from the inside.

“That’s what I thought. That also wasn’t the first time. “ Viler replied after a short pause in which he could not help but to show a little, malicious smile. “You’ll come up to the front after the lesson. “

And as if nothing conspicuous had happened Viler turned back to his black board and again started to bombard it with his unrecognisable handwriting. 

Every student tried to do the same but in their minds they all just looked at Jeremy who was now slowly turning his head and once more looked over to Lorane who spoke the words I’m sorry silently.

v   

Jeremy seemed to blame Lorane for getting into trouble with Viler because after that he only spoke rarely with her. Lorane did not exactly know if she should be mad at him or herself because somewhere she could understand that he was angry because she had spoken first and Viler then had noticed him while answering. She tried not to think about it too much but because Jeremy was her best friend this little guilty feeling hammered in the back of her mind even the next day when she was sitting over her homework in the late afternoon together with Jean.

“You do know that’s a bit ridiculous, don’t you?”

Lorane looked at her slightly puzzled but agreed with her by slowly nodding.

“You know that Viler is an idiot, he punishes everyone as soon as he sees the chance for it.” Jean continued and Lorane smiled for a moment.

Jean of course was absolutely right, besides there was more important stuff at the moment than dealing with a little friendship crisis.

“Apropos“ Lorane eventually said. “We still have to finish Viler’s homework. It’s nearly dark, you have to go soon.”

Jean shrugged. Her parents would call if it was too late for them and they started to worry.

“Read the question again.” Lorane asked.

Jean searched in her folder for a second than she read aloud:

“Interpret the poem given and compare it to poem number two on the next page.”

Both girls sighed as Jean put down her folder annoyed.

“I hate such questions.” She immediately proclaimed out loud. „Above all with those senseless texts he always gives us! Who knows where Viler is getting them from?”

Lorane had to agree with her. She liked literature but what Viler was giving them for reading was always filled with very strange content.  More than once it was all about bizarre fantasy worlds and unknown creatures in those supposedly poetic texts.

“I don’t believe that the author really thought of something, it sounds far too weird for that.” She said mockingly and Jean nodded with a smile.

But the question would not solve itself by complaining about it so the two girls tackled the poem and wrote down all possible ideas of an interpretation which came up in their minds.

After half an hour the two had written everything down so far what they could think of, even though they knew that Viler would probably not be satisfied with that. But at such questions they only did what was necessary just for not having to bother with it much longer.

Lorane’s mobile vibrated as she put her pencil aside.  

“O, what a surprise!” she said ironically and read the message.

“What?” Jean asked.

“Jeremy texted me.” Lorane answered then for a short moment she looked up surprised. “He wants to meet up because of something.”

“Why’s he not just coming here?” Jean responded while she was packing her stuff into her bag.

“He’s still at the library.” Lorane answered and did the same as her.

“Of course!”

Jean grinned and Lorane could not hold it back as well. It was just too typical for Jeremy.

“Well, I have to go anyway.” Jean now said and stood up.

She threw her bag over her shoulders and together they went to the house door. Markus and Jenny both had to work late this day so Lorane left them a note and took the keys. She and Jean put on their shoes then they went outside where Jean said good-bye and both walked off in opposite directions.

It was March but spring was not there yet which was why by this time of day it was almost completely dark outside. Some cars were still driving around, the workers were coming back home from their day-shifts after the night-shift had taken over for them.

Lorane just turned into a side street which was leading directly to the main street where the town’s library was. What Jeremy could possibly still want around this time she had no idea but at least the whole thing with Viler seemed to have been forgotten which was already something positive. She smiled about that thought when suddenly she was pushed over from behind. With a quiet curse she landed on the ground and immediately turned round to the culprit. But nobody was there.

“What the-?”

She stood up and patted the dust from her trousers when a laugh echoed in the little street. It sounded amused and was nearby but Lorane could not see anyone.

“Hallo?“

According to her expectation no one answered her, instead the laughter became louder until one could assume that it were several men at the same time. Lorane became uncomfortable and turned round so she could walk away but there suddenly stood three men, all clothed in black, right in front of her. Their faces were hidden behind hoods so one could not really see any particular features.

“Don’t move, little one.“ Said obviously their leader and took a few steps forward. „Nothing’s going to happen to you.“

They came towards her and Lorane wanted to run away but her legs were like frozen, she was too weak to move from the spot.

The men again began their sneering laughter while they all fixed Lorane with their looks. She felt more with every second how the weakness threatened to overcome her so she was about to find herself on the ground again. She sank with her knees on the asphalt and saw how the men were closing in. Just what did they want from her?

Suddenly someone pushed the men over from behind and ran through them towards Lorane. She looked up and recognized Jeremy’s face who was grabbing her by the hand and pulled her up hastily.

“Run!” he called and both of them ran off.

Nonetheless Lorane once more looked behind herself to the three men. The hood had glided from one of the men’s heads and looked after the two with a furious expression. Horrified Lorane turned her eyes back to the front and ran as fast as she could. The man had looked at her with blood red eyes!

The pulse of both of them was racing and they breathed heavily when Jeremy and Lorane locked the door behind them. Lorane needed a few seconds until she could move again only then she moved away from the door.

“Who the hell were those guys?!” she eventually called out and began to walk up and down in her flat flustered. Markus and Jenny were luckily not home yet, otherwise both of them would have totally freaked out now.     

“Don’t know.” Jeremy responded who already seemed to have calmed down and observed Lorane’s strolling.

“Good that you were coming my way.” Lorane now said with a sigh. “Thanks.”

Jeremy waved that away with a polite smile and did not say anything more about that.

Both of them sat down in the living room and Lorane slowly began to calm down again. After a few minutes she asked:

“What did you want anyway?“

Jeremy threw a look at her.

“Was it because of what you wanted to talk to me about?”

For a moment Jeremy seemed to having to think about what she was talking then he waved it aside again and said:

“Yes but that’s probably too much at once now.”

Lorane nodded. A moment of silence then Jeremy added:

“But we can talk about it tomorrow. I’ll come around in the evening and we can go to the little café at the end of the street then it’s a bit more relaxed.”

Lorane nodded again.  

“Yes, that’s probably better. And thanks again for back then, without you I don’t know what could have happened.”

My fantasy novel

So, I have been writing on a fantasy novel for over six years now and I'm still into writing. I'm on page 307 and I am far from finished! However, I write this novel in German which is a shame for you because I would love to give you guys a little insight on my book. But thanks to a good friend of mine, I have now translated the first chapter into English so that you guys can have a little preview of what will (hopefully) turn out to be a proper novel.

The Legend of Alteria

Chapter 1

At the horizon four men were visible upon a hill, their long, blond hair blew in the wind. Motionless and ignoring the roaring wind they stared with fixed looks on the castle in the distance. The men were clothed in black so they were almost unrecognisable in the darkness and their blood-red eyes pierced the night like arrows. The man in the middle stepped forward. He glanced at his companions for a moment then he clicked his fingers. The four masked figures had disappeared. With speed for the human eye almost unseeable they moved towards the city wall. The entrance portal was guarded by several soldiers in heavy armour, they did not notice the four. Their leader now fixed them with his eyes, it seemed like he wanted to pierce them with his look. Suddenly, the soldiers fell unconscious to the ground.

The men were visible again.

“Very good.” Their leader said. „We don’t have much time. Nothing is allowed to go wrong.”

He nodded to his companions and turned invisible. Until this moment everything had gone well, it seemed like nobody had noticed them.

v   

Inside the castle everything was silent, not even the roaring of the wind or the distant murmuring of the soldiers could be heard. In the halls all doors were closed except one. The clear voice of a woman who seemed to sing something came from the room,

Queen Lira was singing to her daughter Lorane before she went to bed. On a long, high-pitched note the song ended and the woman left the room quietly.

As soon as she heard the sound of the closing door Lorane sprang from her bed and hurried towards her wardrobe against which she knocked. A repeated knock came from within. Lorane opened the door and with a silent cry a boy fell to the ground. Quickly he stood up and looked at the girl who said:

 “You do know that I can’t always let you sleep here in secret, Paul?”

The boy smiled peevishly, ran a hand through his black hair and got a mattress out of the wardrobe.

After Lira had gone back to her quarters she had sat in front of the big, bronze mirror and was now combing her long, dark-red hair; she did this every time before she went to bed although her husband had said that this was unnecessary. Lira laughed as she just now thought about that again and turned around to Merow who was sitting in a chair, reading. He ran a hand through his hazelnut-brown hair and yawned.

“Just put the book to the side.” Lira said. “You’ve been sitting in this chair the entire day, it’s time to go to bed.”

Merow smiled at her, Lira did the same, then he closed his book.

“Well, you’re right. I’m also slowly getting tired.”

The same moment he had arisen from the chair, somebody knocked at the door. He looked at Lira questioningly and frowned. Who was knocking at this time, Merow thought and walked to the door. He opened it and a young man stood in front of him, panting, he seemed all flustered and was completely out of breath.

“What happened? Why are you knocking here in the middle of the night?”

Lira observed with a tense look how the man whispered something to Merow, made some wild gestures with his hands and then disappeared. Merow closed the door and turned around to his wife.

“What did the man want?“ she asked.

It took a moment then Merow looked at her and said in a dry voice:

“You should go to her.”

Lorane threw a sheet over the mattress and a pillow as well.

“I don’t know if I have blanket left...” she murmured and bowed into her wardrobe.

Paul tossed himself on the mattress and extended his leg with relish. He took a book from Lorane’s nightstand and began to read in it.

The door opened and the bright shine of the torches outside in the hallway threw its light into the room. Paul looked up from the book and immediately jumped up. Lorane went to him to see who was standing in the door.

“Paul, what are you doing here?”

The boy stuttered a few times but did not manage it to utter a proper word.

“Mum, why did you come back?” Lorane asked when she had recognised her mother.

Lira had a look around the room as if she expected any second another one of her daughter’s friends to appear in the room.

“Paul, could you come here please?”

Hesitantly and with a red face he stepped up to her.

“You’re a brave boy, aren’t you?”

Paul nodded slowly.

“Then I’m sure you can do me a favour?”

He nodded again. Lira bent down to him and whispered something in his ear. When she had risen she asked:

“Can you do that?”

Again Paul nodded even though not in a very convincing manner. Lira walked to the small table which stood beside Lorane’s bed and reached for a piece of paper. Hastily she wrote something on it and put if folded with a gentle smile into Paul’s hand.

“What’s going on, mum?” Lorane asked sadly. “Are you angry because I secretly let Paul into my room?”

Lira laughed and took a few steps towards her daughter.

“No, of course not. Perhaps it’s even good that you did that.”

“Really?” Lorane asked in disbelief.

Lira took her hand heaved her on her bed.

“Listen to me, little one. You have to listen very carefully because this is very important what I’m about to tell you. I want you to go with Paul and leave the city.”

Lorane looked at her with big eyes but did not say anything.

“Run as fast as you can and don’t get held up, do you understand me?”

Lorane nodded and since her mother did not say anything else she asked:

“Why am I supposed to leave the city? Are you and dad coming with us?”

Lira shook her head.

“It’s important that you go alone, I must stay here with dad.”

“But why should we go?” Lorane asked impatiently and looked sadly into her mother’s eyes.

She was looking for an answer but it took long until she had found it.

“Do you remember what I have told you about the men from the mountains?” Lira asked. “Those men are here tonight and it’s important that they won’t find you.”

She could clearly see the horror in Lorane’s childish face, she was beyond frightened. Lira patted her head slowly and smiled gently. She did not want to make her even more nervous.

“I’ll stay here with dad so those evil men cannot follow you. Your father is already looking for them. Now hurry, get dressed, quick!”

Lorane slipped slowly from her bed and quickly put on a jumper and trousers over her blue nightshirt. Paul was already standing at the door and looked with a long neck into the hallway.

“Mum, I don’t want to go!”

Lorane was pulling at her mother’s arm and looked at her with big, sad eyes.

“Little one” Lira said and bowed down to her. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. You’re not leaving our home forever. We will get you back home.”

Lorane tried to smile but she could not. The mix of tears of utmost sadness and a desperate laughter, to see on the face of one’s own daughter, was a sight a mother like Lira would not forget for a long time.

“Really? I’m definitely going to see you again?” Lorane asked.

Lira hesitated for a very short moment.

“Definitely.”

“How long will it be?” Lorane asked curiously.

Lira smiled at her again then she said melancholically:

“I don’t know.“

She took her daughter’s hand, it was shaking. Lorane embraced her mother long and extensively then Lira gave her a kiss upon her cheek; she noticed that Lorane was trying very hard to keep back a river of tears.

“Now, hurry up you two! I love you.“ she added when she let go of her hand then she turned to Paul. “Don’t forget what I told you.”

He nodded silently and grabbed Lorane’s hand. Hesitantly she let herself led away by him and looked back at the door of her room as long as she could when they came to a turning in the long hallway where a soldier was waiting for them.  

v   

The city of Rectis was silent, nothing could be heard not even the howling of lost animals or the whispering of the trees. Only the roaring of the wind echoed through the alleys of the big city and knocked at the windows here and there.

Lorane stepped through the portal and right away a warm breath of air blew into her face. She looked around with a puzzled expression; no guards were at the entrance to the castle although there were usually ten people guarding the portal.

“Come, we have to hurry.” The soldier said.

Paul pulled Lorane impatiently with him. Quickly they walked down the streets, over the market place and further towards the city wall. 

Suddenly various screams, the shattering of armour, loud, confusing shrieking and eventually a quiet laughter from one of the alleyways. Lorane paused immediately and Paul as well stopped next to her abruptly.

“What was that?“ she asked and look around hastily.

Paul did not answer and shrugged helplessly.

“Wait here.” The soldier let them know and walked towards the direction where the noises had been coming from.

As soon as he had disappeared around the corner it was all silent again. Lorane and Paul waited. They waited long, too long. When Paul wanted to take Lorane’s hand again to finally continue, Lorane suddenly started running.

 “It came from over there!” she murmured.

Paul ran after her as fast as he could. Lorane turned into the same alley the soldier had, ran along a little side street until she reached a backyard.

Both closed their eyes a bit so they could better observe the scenery. A crowd of soldiers lay on the ground and did not move anymore, their weapons lay, partly destroyed partly carelessly left on the ground, next to them. Under some of the bodies the ground had taken the colour of red. The soldier, who had searched for the source of the noises, lay among them. In the middle of those lifeless soldiers lay a man Lorane recognized, she moved closer to take a look. The man still held his sword in one hand, his hazelnut brown hair was shining in the light of the moon. Lorane rushed towards him and turned him around so she could see his face.     

Merow had his eyes closed and on his brow, blood was running from a big cut. Lorane shook the slack body of her father and felt how the tears were coming back. She let her head sink down on his chest; there was no pounding to hear. She was unable to say anything, Lorane simply embraced her father’s lifeless body and never wanted to let him go. She cried, she just cried bitterly into herself, why she was here outside she had completely forgotten. Then the quiet laughter sounded again from the alleys, this time it was a bit louder and more malicious than before. Paul shook Lorane softy at her shoulder and tried to loosen her arms from Merow’s body.

“Lorane, come on! You can’t do anything for him, we have to go, they’re already nearby!” he said to her and when she did not answer he quietly added into her ear: „He wanted you to get away from here safely, he wanted to protect you. Do you want us to disappoint your father?”

Lorane looked up to him, sniffed, wiped the tears from her face and shook her head. Softly she let her father sink to the ground and took her hand off his chest. Hesitantly she trudged after Paul and always kept looking back to the dead body until they moved again into another alley. They ran along the main road and could already see the city wall a few hundred metres away. The giant, silver shining gate stood open and no guards could be seen. Without looking around for the soldiers they both ran outside into the open landscape. As fast as he could Paul pulled Lorane after himself and together they ran away over the wet grass towards the south.

“We are we even going?” Lorane suddenly called next to him.

He did not answer right away, instead he looked behind them; he did not see anyone.

“We’re almost there! We just have to get you away from here!”

The moment he said that, Lorane fell out of his sight. He stopped in which he almost fell to the ground himself and looked for her. She lay on the ground and did not move any longer; she seemed to have fallen over. Paul ran to her and as he tried to take her on his back he could see a tiny trickle of blood and a graze on her forehead, but luckily she was only unconscious as he detected. He put her on his back and continued to run. We’re almost there, was going through his mind the entire time.

He came to the end of a small hill and hasted down some stairs which had been carved into the rocks. Two pillars, in which burned a fire, stood next to the staircase and marked the entrance of a tunnel which led in the inside of the mountain. Paul ran past the pillar along the long passage. He believed to clearly hear the steps of the men in the tunnel, the noise when they touched the ground echoed from the walls and into his ears. They did not even run, they were absolutely sure that they would get their prey.

Finally he reached the end of the passageway and entered a small hall, unknowing that the four men were as good as standing behind him. In the hall was a tiny staircase as well which led to a small podium. Paul walked up the stairs, took Lorane from his shoulders and laid her carefully on the ground then he descended back the stairs. He fished Lira’s note out of his trouser pocket and as he opened his mouth to say something, he heard again the quiet, cold laughter behind him. He threw a look over his shoulder.  

„Come on, boy, just let us forget everything and give us the girl.“ their leader said who had taken a step towards Paul.

He did not answer anything and stared at them. He had to try to turn away but there was one thing he just wanted to know.

“Who are you?”

The man in front of him laughed, this time it sounded warmer and then he pulled the black disguise from his face. A young man was standing before Paul, he had a narrow, pale face and under his left eye was a light-coloured scar which ran up to his nose.

“How nice of you to ask. My name is Tyranne and I’m the leader of this special warrior unit. We’re the best and strongest of our people and we always get what we want. Apropos” he added and was suddenly serious again. “Give us why we’re here! Give us the girl!“

Paul finally turned back. He could not give them Lorane! On the other hand, they would just come and get her if he did not do so. Against those four men Paul would have had no chance at all, he knew that. Slowly he walked to the podium where Lorane still lay unconscious and did not notice anything of all that. He walked up the stairs then he stood next to the girl and leaned down to her. While he gently put a hand on her arm he quickly whispered words in a strange sounding language which he was reading off Lira’s paper as clearly as possible.

Suddenly Lorane began to glow, Paul yanked back in pain and pulled his hand away. He staggered a few steps back and fell almost to the ground. Lorane started to shine brightly and hovered slightly above the ground.

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!” Tyranne shrieked.

Paul fell down the stairs when a blazing flash of light came from Lorane and he was unable to see anything for a few seconds. When he opened his eyes again she had gone without leaving a trace.

Confused and completely baffled he stared at the spot where she had lain only a few seconds ago; with an open mouth he got back up. He had not expected that, Lira had not told him what would happen, she had only told him what to do and then he should wait but Paul had not expected his best friend to vanish into thin air.

“You shouldn’t have done that, boy!”

Paul fell out of his trance and turned around to Tyranne whom he had almost forgotten. He did not know what he should do now and just looked past them without replying anything. Tyranne walked towards him, his companions followed close behind. Paul did not even try to flee, he just closed his eyes and waited.